Device for closing openings



' yj 9 v J. E. LODGE 1,813,179

DEVICE FOR CLOSING OPENINGS Filed Feb. 2, 1929 Mme/72w Jasgo/r [009e Patented July 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT 'QFFICE JOSEPH EVERETT LODGE, OF MAYWOOD, ILI1INOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF EW YORK, N.'Y.,,A CORPORATION 01* NEW YORK DEVICE EOE cLOsING OPENINGS Application filed February 2, 1929. Serial NO. 337,037.

This invention relates to devices for closing openings, and more particularly to mechanism for closing openings in high pressure fluid chambers. I V

In the operation of a high pressure fluid chamber, such as a continuous vulcanizer, it is frequently necessary to open the chamber for inspection purposes or for making repairs to the material contained therein for treat ment, and in order that the opening may not w prove dangerous to an operator becauseof the fluid possibly emitting therefrom, it is desirable in many instances that the opening be automatically closed when the fluid is admitted to the chamber. An instance ofthis I operation is in a steam chamber for vulcanizing rubber covered wire. At frequent intervals in the vulcanizing process, it is necessary for an operator to'open the steam vulcanizing chamber for the purpose of making a splice between wires, and in order to protect the operator against possible injury from the vulcanizing medium it is desirable that the chamber opening be automatically closed when steam is admitted therein.

An object of this invention is to provide a device responsive to the pressure medium in a chamber to close an opening therein.

In accordance with this object in one embodiment of the invention there is provided a slidable inlet gate mounted within a fluid containing chamber and having a depending portion or blade of substantially the size l the rubber covered conductor 6 being vul.

of the cross-section of the chamber. When fluid is admitted into the chamber it impinges on the blade and closes the gate and keeps it closed while there is fluid within the chamber. A slot is provided in the blade in the case of a steam chamber for vulcanizing rubber covered wire for providing for the wire to be drawn therethrough.

A clear understanding of the invention will be had from the following description of one specific embodiment thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wire splicing box connecting with a ,vulcanizing chamber and employing the devised self-closing gate;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the same apparatus, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and r Fig. 3'is a transverse cross-section of the same splicing box taken on the line 33 of N Fig. 2.

Referring now to-th-e drawings in which like numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, there is disclosed a splice box 5 in which a rubber cov cred conductorfi being drawntherethrough from a pipe 7 to a steam vulcanizing chamher 9 may be joinedto anew length of conductor when the old supply has expired. The

upper portion of the box is provided with ledges 10 within which is positioned a slidablc gate 11 having a depending portion or blade 12 which substantially encloses the inner cross-section of the splice box. A slot 15 is formed in the lower part of the blade 12 for permitting the conductor 6 to be drawn therethrough.

On to cover .16 which slidably secures the gate with.- in theledges 10 and also encloses the top of the splice'box -5. Bolts 17 hold the cover 16 in position. A rectangular entrance aperture "18' is provided in one end of the cover 16 and a knob 19 projects therethrough and is connected to the gate 11 for sliding the gate open and allowing an operator to reach withi in the aperture '18'to splice respective lengths of the conductor.

In the operation of'the disclosed structure supply to the chamber 9 and slides the gate 1 11 to the right by means of the knob 19 to open the entrance aperture 18. The operator may then reach through the aperture 18 and join on a new length of conductor.' At

p of the gate 11 there is provided a.

this stage it is apparent that should steam enter the vulcanizing chamber 9 and escape through the aperture 18 the operator might be severely scalded and burned. Therefore, the blade 12'is provided on the gate 11 for substantially enclosing the inner cross-section of the splice box 5 and responding to any steam entering the vulcanizing chamber 9 to slide the gate 11 across the aperture 18 to close it.

Thus there is no possibility of the operator becoming burned should steam enter the vuleanizing chamber While the operator is splicing the conductor. It is, furthermore, to be noted in this connection that it is not possible for the operator to easily open the gate 11 While there is steam in the vulcanizing chamber because of the fact that the blade 12 reacts against the steam in'ipinging thereagainst to hold the gate closed. Therefore, the operator is protected by the disclosed safety a maratus against being burned by steam escaping from a vulcanizing chamber, and it is apparent that this self closing gate is adapted for use with any kind of fluid containing chamber in which the fluid is admitted at one end thereof.

It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention is not limited by the specific apparatus here disclosed, but is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluid containing chamber having an aperture, means movable across the aperture for closing it, and means responsive to the fluid for moving the closing means across the aperture to close it.

2. In a fluid containing chamber having an inlet aperture, means movable across the aperture for closing the aperture, and means integral with the closing means and responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the chamber for moving the closing means across the aperture to close it.

3. In a fluid containing chamber having an inlet aperture, a slidable gate movable across the aperture for closing it, and means slidable in and substantially co-extensivewith the inner cross-section of the chamber and thereby responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the chamber for maintaining the gate closed.

4. In a fluid containing chamber having an inlet aperture, a closure member movable across the aperture for closing the aperture, and means connected to the closure member and substantially co-extensive With the inner cross-section of the chamber and thereby respending to the pressure of the fluid. in the chamber for moving the closing means across the aperture.

5. In a fluid containing chamber having an inlet aperture, a gate slidable across the aperture for closing it, the gate having a blade depending therefrom into the chamber and responsive to the pressure of fluid in the chamber to maintain the gate closed.

6. In a fluid containing chamber having an inlet aperture, a gate slidable across the aperture for closing it, and a blade substantially coextensive with the inner cross-section of the chamber and thereby responsive JOSEPH EVERETT LODGE. 

